Harvesting high-quality Ganoderma lucidum

Farmers dry the newly harvested Ganoderma lucidum in the sun in Hanqiao village, the outskirt of Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, July 31, 2006. The output of Ganoderma lucidum in over 15 hectares of land of the village is expected to reach 300 tons this year and its annual production value is 100 million yuan (12.5 million US dollars). Ganoderma lucidum is a kind of herb and in traditional Chinese medicine a valuable tonic is made from it.

Military exercise of PLA Navy

The photo shows the military exercise of PLA navy. A military exercise under the Informationization conditions by the People's Liberation Army Navy achieved success ahead of the 79th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. Units from naval communication units, shore-based communication troops, naval fleet troops, naval air force troops, observation and communication radar troops and communication unit of electronic countermeasure troops took part in the exercise, which tested the application procedure of communication structure in contingent war, the troops' training level and equipment efficiency. The exercise also probed into the features and rules of information assurance during the contingent war at the sea.

Lebanese families with destoryed hometown

A man stands between destroyed buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, July 31, 2006. Many Lebanese families flee their homes following Israel's continual airstrikes since July.

Iran awards highest medal of honor to Chavez

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad awards the medal of honor to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Tehran University, July 30, 2006. Iran awarded Hugo Chavez the country's highest medal of honor for his support for Iran's nuclear program, the official IRNA new agency reported.

Group pictures mark PLA founding

Troops cheer in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province on August 1, 1927. The Nanchang Uprising marks the first shot fired by the Communist Party of China against the Kuomintang reactionaries and the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), China's armed forces.(Xinhua Photo)

German swimmers break 4X100m world record

The German 4x100 m freestyle relay team Annika Liebs (L), Petra Dallmann (2nd L), Britta Steffen (2nd R) and Daniela Goetz display their gold medals after setting a new World record in the time of 3 minutes 35.22 seconds at the European Aquatic Championships in Budapest July 31, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Reception marking PLA's 79th founding anniversary

Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchua, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state councilor, addresses a reception marking the 79th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which falls on August 1, in Beijing, July 31, 2006.

NATO takes over in southern Afghanistan

U.S. Lieutenant-General Karl Eikenberry (2nd L), commander of Coalition forces and Lieutenant-General David Richards (2nd R), British NATO commander, salute troops during an official ceremony at the Kandahar Airfield military base in Kandahar July 31, 2006.

A protest against Israeli attacks on Lebanon in London

People hold Lebanese flags and placards during a protest rally in London, UK, July 30, 2006. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central London on Sunday to protest against Israeli military attacks on Lebanon.

Chinese dominate men's rapid fire pistol

China's Zhang Penghui (R) and Liu Zhongsheng wave to the spectators on the podium during the awarding ceremony of the Men's 25m rapid fire pistol final of the 49th International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Shooting Championships in Zagreb, capital of Croatia, July 30, 2006. Zhang and Liu got the gold and silver with 786.6 (583/203.6) and 781.7 (582/199.7) points respectively.

War & children

Rescuers pull out the body of a baby from the ruins at the village of Qana in south Lebanon, July 30, 2006. At least 54, including 37 children, were killed during an Israeli air strike at the village on Sunday morning. (Xinhua Photo)

College students take part in volunteer campaign

A pupil reads the characters on the blackboard under the help of Wang Jue,a student of North University of China, in a school at Wenzhuang village in north China's Shanxi Province, on July 31, 2006. College students in Shanxi set out for rural areas to publicize "new socialist countryside" policies and help rural residents improve their lives in the annual summer vacation volunteer campaign.

Heavy rain sweeps Beijing

A taxi is stranded on the flooded expressway to the Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, July 31, 2006. Heavy rain hit the central and southern parts of the city early Monday, leaving many sections of the main roads inundated by water. Local observatory has issued a yellow alarm indicating more rainfall.

Security Council adopts resolution on Iran

Liu Zhenmin, the deputy permanent representative of the Chinese mission, addresses a meeting of the United Nations Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York on July 31, 2006. The Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday, urging Iran to halt uranium enrichment activity or faces possible sanction by August 31.